Heartstopper star's show exit forced the 'iconic' shower scene to change
Heartstopper fans have awaited the iconic 'I love you' scene and it is finally here, but with one glaring change from the source material
*Warning: contains minor spoilers for Season 3 of Heartstopper*
Heartstopper fans have eagerly awaited the ‘iconic’ shower scene between Nick and Charlie, and it has finally arrived. However, there is a significant difference in how it plays out on-screen compared to the graphic novel.
The hotly-anticipated third season of Netflix ’s hit teen drama dropped on October 3, with all eight emotional episodes available for fans to binge-watch. Based on Alice Oseman's graphic novels of the same name, the series follows the love story of teens Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) as they navigate school, mental health, friendships and coming-of-age struggles.
With the series drawing inspiration from the novels, fans have been waiting to see their favourite scenes on screen, with many eagerly waiting for the famed shower scene.
In the comics, the scene is a climax in which Charlie tells Nick that he loves him, after anxiously trying to figure out how to say the words. Nick is, however, in the shower so his response is delayed and he has to run out after Charlie, who has left the house feeling embarrassed for sharing his feelings.
Episode one of the new season, titled ‘Love’, brings the scene to life and the glaring difference is the absence of Nick’s mum.
As Nick runs out after Charlie in the books, he asks his mum where Charlie went and then sprints out after him. She calls after him saying “Nicky, you could at least put some shoes on.”
The change comes after Olivia Colman, who played Nick’s mum Sarah, left the series after featuring in two seasons. The Oscar-winning actress revealed to Forbes in March 2024 that she would not return for the third season due to scheduling conflicts.
Shortly after the announcement, creator Alice Oseman went on Instagram to reassure fans that their beloved scenes would be preserved.
She wrote: “We did not re-cast Sarah, and I know many of you - comic fans especially - will be upset and concerned about how we will move forward without Nick’s mum. I know there is one scene in particular that many of you have been looking forward to in season three, and you may be feeling disappointed and disheartened with us."
She continued: “Nick’s story from the comics is still there, still infinitely important to me, and Sarah’s role as emotional support for Nick will shift to other characters in the story for now. If we get a Season 4, I would love for Olivia to be a part of it again!”
Oseman was referring to another scene from the novels that had a dramatic change in the latest series. When Nick is concerned about Charlie’s eating disorder, he has a hard conversation with his mum about it. Sarah advises her son: “Love can’t cure a mental illness.”
This line in particular is a fan-favourite and was anticipated to be delivered by Colman but Hayley Atwell takes on the role instead, as Nick’s Aunt.
Heartstopper season three is available to stream now on Netflix.